Local Winemakers Help Create Masterful Blend of Five Barrel-Aged Beers

Firestone Walker Brewing has announced their 27th anniversary beer “XXVII” the latest edition of one of the most respected and sought after barrel-aged beers of all time. Every year of anniversary ale is different, always a blend of multiple beers and various barrels, conducted by guest winemakers and industry friends to create something unique and exceptional each year.

“This beer was created with experience, passion and collaboration, sparing no expense to celebrate our brewery’s 27th anniversary,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “This may be our most eclectic Anniversary Ale to date—a testament to the blending skills of our winemaker friends.”

The result is XXVII— a complex beer blended from five distinct ales aged in bourbon barrels. XXVII (single boxed 12-oz bottles) is rolling out now in limited quantities to all Firestone Walker markets. It is also available at each brewery location and online at FirestoneBeer.com for a limited time. 

Blended to Perfection

Firestone Walker resides in the Paso Robles wine country, home to some of California’s most decorated winemakers—many of whom Brynildson has befriended over the years.

Ever since making the brewery’s inaugural Anniversary Ale in 2006, Brynildson has leaned on his winemaker friends to help create a complex and harmonious beer from a variety of distinct barrel-aged components. This year’s blending session took place on the afternoon of June 28. 

“These winemakers are practicing experts in the art of blending, and it’s always amazing how they help us create a beer that is greater than the sum of its parts,” he said. “It’s a fun, competitive and spirited experience whenever we get together.”  

This year’s blending session marked the 18th occasion of this annual summer rite. As always, the winemakers broke into teams to create their own candidate blends from a variety of barrel-aged components. Next, the winemakers and brewers blind tasted all of the candidate blends, then voted as a group to crown the winner that would become XXVII.

XXVII: The Final Blend

Brewmaster’s Tasting Notes: “The finished blend is deep dark mahogany in color and expresses decadent up-front barrel aromas with notes of toffee and cocoa powder close behind. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky with rich caramel flavors complemented by toasted nut, vanilla and coconut accents. There is a beautiful balance between a rich malt character, a top-shelf bourbon spirit and chocolate truffles. An absolutely stunning barrel-aged beer and a true testament to the winemakers’ skill in blending not only for aroma and flavor, but also for texture.”

• DDBA Batch 10k - Aged in Wheated Bourbon Barrels (33%)
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• Dividing Time - Aged in Wheated and Rye Bourbon Barrels (29%)
  Munich Wine Made in Collaboration with Private Press
  

• Bravo - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (13%)
  Imperial Brown Ale

   

• Rip This Joint - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (13%)
  Imperial Stout Made in Collaboration with Side Project
   

• Velvet Merkin - Aged in Bourbon Barrels (12%)
  Milk Stout

The Winemakers

Molly Lonborg – Alta Colina

Kevin Sass – Halter Ranch

Along with Beer Club Member Ezekial Palmer

This team created the winning blend that became “XXVII”

Sherman Thacher - Thacher Winery

Janelle Dusi – J Dusi Wines

Billy Grant – McPrice Myers

Russell From - Herman Story Wines

Jesse Juarez – Desparada Wines

Steve Martell – Kaleidos

Bastien Leduc - Seven Oxen Estate Wines

Pete Turrone and Kyle Jury - Booker Wines

Pete and Alex Slosberg – Pete’s Wicked Ale

Cassi & Nigel King – Beer Club Members

Mark Smolyar – Hopped.com